Process for producing 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol mono(hydroxypivalate)

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for producing 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol mono(hydroxypivalate) which comprises condensing two molecules of hydroxypivaldehyde in the presence of an organometallic complex containing a transition metal and organic ligands selected from the group consisting of acetylacetonato, fluoracetylacetonato and benzoylacetonato.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for producing 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropyl-2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropionate which comprises condensing two molecules of 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypropanal in the presence of an organometallic complex compound containing a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Group III A, Group III B, Group IV A, Group IV B, Group V B, Group VI B, Group VII B, Group VIII and the Actinide series of the Periodic Table and having ligands selected from the group consisting of acetylacetonato, fluoroacetylacetonato and benzoylacetonato. 
     
     
       2. A process according to claim 1, wherein said transition metal is one member selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Pd. 
     
     
       3. A process according to claim 1, wherein said organometallic complex compound is an acetylacetonato complex compound selected from the group consisting of bis-acetylacetonato-manganese, tris-acetylacetonato-manganese, tris-acetylacetonato-iron, bis-acetylacetonato-nickel, tris-acetylacetonato-vanadium, bis-acetylacetonato-vanadium oxide, tetrakis-acetylacetonato-zirconium and bis-acetylacetonato-titanium oxide. 
     
     
       4. A process according to claim 1, wherein said organometallic complex compound is a fluoroacetylacetonato complex compound selected from the group consisting of tetrakis-trifluoroacetylacetonato-zirconium and trifluoroacetylacetonato-palladium. 
     
     
       5. A process according to claim 1, wherein said organometallic complex compound is used in an amount of 0.005 to 0.5% by weight based on the weight of the starting 2,2-dimethyl-3,3-hydroxpropanal.